England 1-0 Belgium
by Tom Coopey at The King Power Stadium for Impetus (28/10/23).
Above: Team celebrations after Lauren Hemp’s goal. Photo: Lionesses.
Lauren Hemp’s early goal found England’s second win of the UEFA Nations League campaign, to move them ahead of Belgium and go top of the group. It was a game of many chances, but Hemp’s 13th-minute goal was the decider.
Keira Walsh returned to the England starting eleven, whilst Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles made their way back into the side after defeat to the Netherlands last time out. Lauren James was ruled out of the squad earlier in the week due to concussion, as well as Lucy Parker with an ankle injury. Belgium boss Ives Serneels made two changes from the 11 that drew against Scotland. Jassina Blom and Sari Kees made way for Janice Cayman and Club Brugge’s Jody Vangheluwe.
Belgium would have had their tails up going into this game, being top and catching England at a bad time, having lost two of their past three.
Under the lights of the King Power Stadium, England made a bright start just 40 seconds in with Charles getting on the end of a cross, lifting it just over the bar. The Lionesses were putting early pressure on the visitors, with Hemp’s parried effort by the goalkeeper falling to Ella Toone. Her header dribbled just wide of the post, to Nicky Evrard’s relief. It was a fast-paced start in the East Midlands.
Despite England’s positive start, Belgium had a brilliant chance to take the lead. Justine Vanhaevermaet’s header looked certain to ripple the back of the net, but an astonishing save by Mary Earps denied what looked to be a definite goal.
It took England just 13 minutes to find the lead after Hemp bundled it in from the corner. Kelly’s inviting delivery found Millie Bright, with her header coming back off the upright and into the path of Hemp for an easy finish. It was a deserved lead for the Lionesses.
England were looking sharp as well as hungry to extend their lead, with Toone’s ferocious strike straight down the throat of the keeper. Wiegman would have been happy with the start her side had made. They were looking in the mood.
Belgium looked positive on the counter-attack, with a chance going begging for the visitors. Tessa Wullaert looked to play a ball into the box, but it kindly deflected off Bright, whistling just wide of the post.
England were a whisker away from going two up with Alessia Russo not finding the right connection to poke it into the open net. In fairness to the Arsenal striker, the cross from Hemp may have been slightly just behind her.
Despite leaving themselves open at the back at times, the Lionesses were looking dangerously good on the attack. They were knocking on the door and it seemed only a matter of time before they found their second of the night.
England were in control closing in on the half-time break, as they had been the whole half, searching to extend their early lead. However, Tine De Caigny nearly found the equalising goal, with her effort closing in at the near post. However, she was only able to find the side netting.
It was a dominant first-half display from the Lionesses, one which would have filled the fans with more confidence after the Netherlands loss. They’d have hoped to go into the break with a more convincing lead, after 13 attempts, five of which were on target. Hemp reacting to the loose ball for the goal was the difference at the break, with England taking in a well-deserved lead.
In the second half, Bright looked to double England’s advantage, with her headed effort just dropping onto the roof of the net. Then Kelly’s deflected effort dropped nicely in the box for Russo, with her attempt going just over. It was yet another missed opportunity for England.
Earps was called into action, making a fine stop to keep her side’s lead intact. Wijnant looked to make an impact and was close to doing so- with her shot from range forcing a tip around the post from the Manchester United goalkeeper.
The tempo of the second period wasn’t as intense as the first, with England controlling the game. Greenwood was close to putting her name in the headlines if it wasn’t for a crucial save by Evrard. The 30-year-old took aim from around 25 yards with her free kick, with her curling effort towards the top corner tipped away.
England were knocking on the door, but just couldn’t seem to make the most of the good positions they were getting themselves into. They would be fortunate that the missed chances didn’t come back to haunt them. The visitors tried to grab a crucial point and Wijnants looped a dangerous ball into the box, but Earps met the loose ball to the delight of the crowd.
It was a well-fought victory for England, seeing them overtake Belgium after the victory over Serneel’s side. Hemp’s early strike was the decider of the taking of the points and the eventual winner.
Teams: ENGLAND: Earps, Bronze, Charles, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, Kelly, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Hemp. Substitutes used: Daly (for Russo 64’), Kirby (for Toone 64’), Park (for Kelly 84’).
Scorers: Hemp 13’.
BELGIUM: Evrard, De Caigny, Delacauw, Wullaert, Vanhaevermaet, Cayman, Vangheluwe, De Neve, Detruyer, Deloose, Missipo. Substitutes used: Wijnants (for Vangheluwe 46’), Daniels (for Detruyer 76’), Blom (for Delacauw 76’), Janssens (for Missipo 87’).
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara.
Attendance: 28,321.
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